New Zealand is such a fantastic (nuclear free) country, with some of
the friendliest people on this earth, wonderful outdoor life, good wine,
glaciers, fjords, beaches, lakes, caves, geysers, mountains, you can ski,
trek, hike, white water rafting, bungee jumping, diving, surfing and ?;?;?;?;.Get
the idea! The first to thing to understand about New Zealand is that there
are two islands connected by ferry and air and Auckland, Wellington (the
capital) and Christchurch are the three largest cities. If New Zealand
takes Beetles, this is where a Beetle would retire to!
The following itinerary is a very general route and aimed at “taking
in” the best of both islands in a relatively short time from Auckland
to Christchurch. It is incredibly easy to travel around New Zealand. The
Beetle used the bus, which are plentiful and comfortable and there’s also
a rail network. You can buy discounted books of tickets and hop on-hop
off, or you can do it in an organized way on something like the Kiwi Experience
if you are under 25, can get by on 3 hours of sleep a night and enjoy
partying or you can hire a car. It would be a total waste of time to pay
for a package tour to visit New Zealand, and anyone thinking of doing
this must report immediately to the Beetle!
Arrive in Auckland – there is lots of accommodation ranging from
the ubiquitous 5 stars, to boutique hotels to hostels. Do any shopping
you may need, there are several excellent outdoor shops selling waterproofs,
sleeping bags, stoves, sleeping bags etc. If you have plenty of time,
head north up to Kohukohu and stay at the Tree House Lodge – a truly
wonderful place, go walking, fishing, relax and chill out. From here you
can continue north still to Kaitaia where you can take trips to 90 mile
beach, do the 9 km Kaitaia Walkway, then head east to Russell which has
to be one of the world’s prettiest spots by the sea. Divers can dive the
Rainbow Warrior from Pahaia or you can swim with the dolphins.
If you have time, detour to Waitomo Caves (amazing!) en route to Rotorua
via Hamilton. They are slightly south and west of Rotorua and then on
to Rotorua where you must visit the geysers and boiling mud pools and
inhale the malodorous school lab smells of hydrogen sulphide. Lake Taupo
is a short bus ride away – there’s lots to do and see here, the
lake itself, Huka Falls where you can take a speed boat and experience
death defying handbrake type turns under the Falls, another several other
infrequently visited geothermal park called Craters of the Moon and Orakei
Korako. Don’t forget a night time Maori concert – amazing!
Then head south for Wellington (not called the windy City for nothing!),
enjoy the cafes, see the sights: take the cable car, visit the botanical
gardens and the zoo, go mountain biking, check out the talent rollerblading
on the waterfront, the museums and when you are through, take the ferry
to Picton on the south island. ON both sides, there is a free bus service
to the bus and railway stations as they are a way out of town. From here
you really should explore the Abel Tasman National Park. You can walk
the 58 km long Abel Tasman Track, or do part of it, or you can take organized
sea kayaking tours of the Marlborough Sounds.
Bring your rain coat – it always seems to rain on the south island
– and head south and west and stop at Punakaiki and rest, walk through
the beautiful forests or admire the rock foundations on the beaches, then
head down the west coast to the two glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox. You
can take helicopter rides and land on the top, or you can climb up part
of them or you can stand and admire them at their base. Continue down
to Milford and take a boat trip on the Sound and see the beautiful glaciated
valleys and if you are a hiker, do the four day Milford Track. If you
are into all things that make the adrenalin pump, head straight up to
Queenstown and enlist in bungee jumping or whatever is your thing. Otherwise,
head south to the small lake town of Te Anau, known for its beauty and
calm. Do visit the caves with a glow worm grotto – mystical! It’s
time to head back, so either head form Queenstown and stay at Wanaka,
just north of Queenstown, a gorgeous small town with vineyards by the
lake and head back to Christchurch. Or alternatively, from Te Anau, head
east to Dunedin and then back to Christchurch.
Next month: the best of Argentina and surrounds.
Please contact Beetle@globetrotters.co.uk
for your suggested country itinerary